Tag Archives: Sara Ney

The Lying Hours by Sara Ney
Series: How to Date a Douchebag #5 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: May 9th 2018
Links: Ebook • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

ABRAHAM DAVIS—Honest Abe to his friends—IS IN OVER HIS HEAD…

He’s a fixer and a do good-er. The all-knowing, resident “grandfather” on the wrestling team who everyone relies on to fix their problems. His teammates go to him for everything; advice, homework, or when they need a sober driver at three in the morning–whether he likes it or not.

Abe’s current mission is easy: mend his roommates broken heart by helping him find a girlfriend on the LoveU app–without getting caught in the lie…

SKYLAR GABRIEL. IS. OVER. IT.

Over her bad grades. And over dating douchebags. What she wants to know is: where have all the nice guys gone?

She longs for a handsome, sweet, and honest guy who can make her laugh. In one last ditch effort to prove that he exists—Skylar turns to LoveU.

On her worst day, Skylar has no filter (it’s a miracle she hasn’t been ditched mid-date).
On her best, she’s as wholesome, and sweet, as pie.
On Thursday? She matches with Abraham Davis’s roommate.

Skylar Gabriel is falling for the wrong guy—she just doesn’t realize it yet.

Why?

BECAUSE ABE DAVIS IS A LIAR.

You can imagine how happy I was when Sara Ney announced another book in the How to Date a Douchebag series! I love this new adult series and this group of wrestlers. She writes the best kind of characters that are endearing even when they have their douchebag moments. In The Lying Hours, we have two people who meet and fall for each other on a dating app. Except one of them is lying about who he is…

Abe Davis is a total sweetheart – he’s definitely more along the lines of Rhett and Kip than the other Douchebag boys. He’s the kind of guy who’s willing to do anything for his friends, which is why he’s on a dating app for his roommate to help him get over a bad breakup. He definitely doesn’t expect to match with one Skylar Gabriel, have fun, witty, meaningful text convos with her, and fall for her.

This is a case of a mistaken identity over a dating app, which you can imagine doesn’t go well. But Sara Ney writes all of this with her laugh-out-loud humor and hilarious wit. I loved the way Abe and Skylar connected, and their chemistry is off the charts. Abe is basically a big ole teddy bear you just want to hug. Skylar is the kind of heroine who you want to be best friends with. She and her best friend Hannah were so much fun to read about. I wish this book was a little bit longer, and that we got more time with Abe and Sky as a couple, but other than that, this is another great installment in the series! Now I need Hannah’s book!

Jock Row by Sara Ney
Series: Jock Hard #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: May 3rd 2018
Links: Ebook • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

Scarlett is always the sensible one: The sober driver. The planner. The one holding your hair back while you’re worshiping the porcelain gods.

Week-after-week, she visits Jock Row with her friends—the universities hottest party scene and breeding ground for student athletes. And if keeping her friends out of trouble, and guys out of their pants, was a sport, she’d be the star athlete.

Being a well known jock-blocker gets her noticed for all the wrong reasons; just like that, she’s banned from Jock Row. NO GUY WANTS A GIRL AROUND WHO KEEPS THEIR JOCK FRIENDS FROM GETTING LAID.

“Rowdy” Wade is the hot shot short-stop for the universities baseball team—and the unlucky bastard who drew the short straw: keep little Miss Goody Two-Shoes out of the Baseball House.

But week-after-week Scarlett returns, determined to get inside.

I had a huge smile on my face the entire time I was reading Jock Row. I was actually pleasantly surprised by this book – I had expected a good sports romance (it’s Sara Ney, after all), but I wasn’t sure what kind of hero we would be getting. Would he be a douchebag, like Sara’s previous series? Or someone even better? Turns out Rowdy Wade is as sweet as they can come – I adored his and Scarlett’s slow burn romance. Jock Row is perfect for friends-to-lovers fans, for when you want to feel that anticipation of the main characters realizing how much they’ve actually fallen for each other, and moving on to something more. If there’s a college romance you need to read this year, let it be Jock Row!

This is why I keep coming back—this moment right here. The intense way he’s watching me right now, like I’m pretty and interesting, even in these ridiculous clothes. The way his deep voice vibrates in my chest and awakes those damn butterflies every time he speaks.

Scarlett and Rowdy’s meet-cute has got to be one of the most unique I’ve read in new adult romances. Scarlett is not at all a party girl and couldn’t give a crap about them, but she tags along with her friends to Jock Row, where are the jocks live, so she can get out of her apartment. When a few jocks think she’s a buzzkill, they send someone to kick her out of the house (because that’s what they do) – and it’s none other than the baseball team captain, Rowdy Wade. They’re both annoyed at the other but they don’t leave each other either once they step outside the house. Instead, they get to talking, exchanging quips and funny stories, and getting to know each other. Scarlett is relatable and witty, Rowdy is charming and adorable, and the two of them made such an endearing couple.

Take is slow, my brain tells me.Run with it, and run as far as you can go.
I’m an athlete—a champion.
I play hard and jock harder, and these little games I’ve started with her?
I’m playing to win.

The growth of their friendship felt so genuine and real, and it felt so natural for that friendship to develop into something more. Every Friday for weeks, they’ll meet up in front of the party house just to talk, play games, eat. They are ADORABLE as friends, but as more? It’s combustible. I couldn’t get enough of Scarlett and Rowdy and the way grew to like each other, and then love each other. They had me smiling and giggling because they were just too cute. Right now, I can’t wait to see what else is in store for us in the Jock Hard series!

The Coaching Hours by Sara Ney
Series: How to Date a Douchebag #4 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: February 5th 2018
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

THERE ARE NO DOUCHEBAGS IN THIS STORY.

Well, there are, but they’re not who this story is about.
This story is about me—the coach’s daughter.

When I moved to Iowa to live with my dad, the university’s take-no-prisoners wrestling coach, I thought transferring would be easy as pie—living with my father would be temporary, and he’d make sure his douchebag wrestlers left me alone.

Wrong on both counts.

ASSHOLES ALWAYS COME OUT OF THE WOODWORK WHEN THE STAKES ARE HIGH.

A bet is placed, and I’m on the table. After one humiliating night and too much alcohol, I find the last nice guy on campus. And when he offers to rent me his spare bedroom, I go all in. It’s time for the nice guy to finish first.

And the ultimate good guy has the potential do more damage than any douchebags ever could.

It was a bittersweet moment when I realized we wouldn’t be getting anymore douchebags after The Coaching Hours. The How to Date a Douchebag series has been one of the most fun and entertaining new adult college romance series that I’ve read in a while. If you haven’t had the chance to read this series and you love anything NA, I highly recommend doing so – the writing, characters, humor, and steam are top notch. I always get addicted every time I start one of these books!

This final Douchebag book was everything that went against the title of the series, because there really are no douchebags in The Coaching Hours – or I should say, the hero is definitely not a douchebag. He is the epitome of a nice guy, and I fell for him as hard, if not harder, than the previous douchebags in the series. I won’t spoil who the hero is, but if you’ve been following the series, let’s just say you’ll be happy with who he is, because I definitely was.

The main characters were perfect for one another. Theirs was a slow burn, friends to lovers romance that I simply adored. They become roommates after the heroine needs a place to stay, both thinking they’ll keep things platonic, but boy were they wrong. The chemistry between them had me on fire – honestly, I think this was the hottest book of the series. I’m a sucker for the friends to lovers trope, and Sara Ney handled this one flawlessly. I couldn’t get enough of the story and I couldn’t put it down. If you’re a fan of the series, trust me, you need this final Douchebag book in your life!

The Learning Hours by Sara Ney
Series: How to Date a Douchebag #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: September 26th 2017
Links: Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

He’s not a douchebag; but that doesn’t stop his friends from turning him into one.

MY FRIENDS WANT ME TO GET LAID.

So much so that they plastered my ugly mug all over campus, in bold printed letters:

Are you the lucky lady who’s going to break our roommate’s cherry? Him: socially awkward man with average-sized penis looking for willing sexual partner. You: must have a pulse. He will reciprakate with oral. Text him at: 555-254-5551

The morons can’t even spell. And the texts I’ve been receiving are what wet dreams are made of. But I’m not like these douchebags, no matter how hard they try to turn me into one.

THIS ISN’T THE KIND OF ATTENTION I WANT.

One text stands out from hundreds. One number I can’t bring myself to block. She seems different. Hotter, even in black and white.

However, after seeing her in person, I know she’s not the girl for me. But my friends won’t let up–they just don’t get it. Douchebags or not, there’s one thing they’ll never understand: GIRLS DON’T WANT ME.

Especially her.

There’s not much I can say about The Learning Hours without giving anything away regarding characters, plot, etc., but what I can say is how much I freaking LOVED this book with my whole heart. I fell head over heels in love with the hero and heroine, who felt so unique and refreshing to me. I was surprised by this book in the best way, since it is quite different from the previous two books in the How to Date a Douchebag series. It’s unlike any new adult college romance I’ve ever read, and for that, I’m grateful to Sara Ney. If you want a book with a unique take on an NA/college/sports romance, I highly recommend The Learning Hours!

After wholeheartedly loving the second book in the series (Zeke makes me do heart eyes), I had no idea if Sara Ney could top what is still one of my favorite reads of the year. Well, it turns out Sara is on a freaking roll because this book ALSO became one of my favorite reads of 2017. The Learning Hours is entertaining, romantic, sweet, funny, adorable – everything you can imagine a new adult romance to be, with some college wrestling sprinkled in. I had so much fun reading this book – my heart was swooning like crazy over the charming, wonderful, atypical hero. The chemistry between the main characters had me giggling and smiling near the entire book.

I honestly can’t recommend The Learning Hours enough. As soon as I picked this book up, I couldn’t put it down. It’s been a while since I read a good new adult romance, but this one had me addicted from the very first page. Anyone who loves romance or new adult needs this book in their lives!

Welcome to today’s stop on the blog tour for The Failing Hours by Sara Ney!! I absolutely loved this book – check out my review below, as well as an excerpt and tour giveaway!

The Failing Hours by Sara Ney
Series: How to Date a Douchebag #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: January 31st 2017

Zeke Daniels isn’t just a douchebag; he’s an asshole.

A total and complete jerk, Zeke keeps people at a distance. He has no interest in relationships–most assholes don’t.

Dating? Being part of a couple? Nope. Not for him.
He’s never given any thought to what he wants in a girlfriend, because he’s never had any intention of having one.Shit, he barely has a relationship with his family, and they’re related; his own friends don’t even like him.

So why does he keep thinking about Violet DeLuca?
Sweet, quiet Violet–his opposite in every sense of the word.
The light to his dark, even her damn name sounds like rays of sunshine and happiness and shit.

The Failing Hours took me by surprise in the BEST way possible. I’ll admit, going into this, I didn’t have high hopes for Zeke. He was the BIGGEST douchebag in the first book and such a misogynist – I was so sure he couldn’t be redeemed in his book. But I am so glad I turned out to be wrong about him. Yes, he’s a dick and nothing can excuse that, but there’s more to Zeke than just his meanness. You get to see a new side of Zeke, one that Violet brings out in him, and I fell head over heels for him by the end of the book. If you love the classic new adult college romances, you HAVE to give this book a try. I was in NA heaven reading this – my heart was so happy to be reading college romances again!

Then.
She smiles.
My eyes, goddamn them, go to those curved glossy lips and rest there as she tries not to grin at me. Brilliant white teeth wink. Big, virginal doe eyes crinkle at the corners.
She’s like a fairytale caricature. Like a pixie.
So endearing it almost makes me want to barf.

To say Zeke Daniels is a jerk would be the biggest understatement. This is the sort of guy who cares for nothing but himself and keeps everyone at a distance. He’s annoyed that he has to get a tutor so he doesn’t fail his class, and even more annoyed that his coach forced him to join a “Big Brothers” program where he has to mentor a kid. He is moody and rude – and his first meeting with his tutor, Violet, is not a good one. She couldn’t be more opposite him if she tried – she’s quiet, gentle, has a slight stutter. She’s everything good that he is not. And when circumstances keep pushing them together, he can’t seem to stop thinking about her… and reluctantly falling for her. Her strength, heart, and kindness make a huge impact on him and make him believe that there just might be more to life than just keeping everyone away.

After driving away from her last night, I realize I probably know her better than she realizes. I know she’s a damn bleeding heart. I know she’s selfless, but only to a point. Kindhearted. Quiet. Inexperienced.
Stronger than either of us realizes.
Too goddamn trusting.
Too goddamn sunny for my gloom and doom.
Too light for my dark.
Too good for my bad.Too everything.

My biggest worry about this book, besides whether or not Zeke could be redeemed, was the portrayal of the heroine, Violet. I was less than impressed with the shallow way the heroine from the first book was portrayed and was hoping for more character development with Violet, and thankfully Sara Ney delivered. Violet is a sweetheart of a character – despite losing her parents at a young age and not having a stable family for most of her life, she sees the positive side in all situations. She’s tough on the inside and never gives up – and she’s also not a pushover when it comes to Zeke. She discovers there’s more to him than meets the eye and that he has just as painful a past as she does, but she doesn’t let that excuse his douchey-ness. She’s a fantastic heroine and I applaud this girl for being able to put up with the grump that is Zeke.

“The best part of me is you, Violet.”

I loved this book SO MUCH. It was the perfect opposites-attract romance – bad boy athlete jerk meets good girl tutor… honestly, it was new adult perfection. I try not to read books with the douche-y heroes because it usually doesn’t end up well, but I absolutely adored this one. It was freaking hilarious, had fantastic characters, and the romance had me so giddy and in love. I LOVED that Violet didn’t make it easy for Zeke to win her heart – this was a redemption story done right. It was my first 5 star read of 2017 and I’m really hoping there’ll be more books in this series, because I can’t get enough of it!

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Now here’s an excerpt from The Failing Hours! ❤

The clock on the wall counts the seconds, steady as the rhythm of my beating heart, which thumps wildly within my chest until the glass door to the library opens, propelled by a gust of wind.

Some new fallen leaves flutter in, the heavy doors slamming from the draft.

Along with them? Zeke Daniels.

He shuffles in, dark gray sweatpants hanging low on his hips, black Iowa Wrestling hoodie pulled up over his head, the university’s bright yellow mascot screen-printed across the chest. Backpack slung over one shoulder, black athletic flip-flops, and a pair of black sunglasses perched on the bridge of his strong nose complete the overall ensemble.

He is utterly…ridiculous.

Unapproachable.

Daunting.

His arrogance knows no bounds; I can see it in his loose gait, the exaggerated swagger, and the too-casual way he’s dragging his flip-flops across the cold, marble tile floor. It’s noisy, irritating, and completely uncalled for.

In the moment, my mind drifts to his personal life, and I theorize that he listens to heavy metal music to sooth his foul temperament, drinks his coffee black—as black as his soul—and his liquor straight up. I imagine once he’s had sex with someone, they’re never invited back. I go one step further and theorize that they’re never invited to spend the night at his place, either.

Zeke Daniels makes his way to a table at the far end of the room, near the periodicals, one out of the way with plenty of privacy.

Sets his bag down in one of the four wooden chairs. Flicks on the small study lamp. Plugs his laptop cord into the base and stands.

Turns.

Our eyes would have met then were it not for those ludicrous sunglasses. I choose the exact moment he lifts his gaze to look down at the ground. Busy myself with shuffling papers on the counter. Count to ten instead of chanting, Please don’t come over, please don’t come over, please don’t come over…

But luck isn’t on my side because he most decidedly does.

Makes his way over like a predator at a pace so deliberate, I’m convinced he’s doing it on purpose. As if he suspects I’m watching from under my long lashes, dreading his imminent arrival.

He basks in my discomfort.

The distance between us closes, his strides purposeful.

Twenty feet.

Fifteen.

Ten.

Eight.

Three.

His large hand reaches up, pushing down the hood of his sweatshirt, his fingertips pinching the earpiece of his sunglasses and pulling them off his face. My eyes follow the movements as he folds them closed, hanging them on the neckline of his hoodie.

His gaze lingers—those clear gray eyes famous around campus—and finds the shiny silver bellhop bell perched on the counter with the sign next to it that reads, Ring for help.

Reading Order: How to Date a Douchebag series

Purveyor of all things witty & romantic, I love: iced latte’s, traveling, and bright, bold colors. On any given day, you can find me in my office, lovingly gazing at my bookshelf or shuffling my Bic felt-tip pen collection. I love hand writing letters, and sarcasm.

I live in the midwest, but “Will Write for Travel,” and believe everyone should follow their dreams, no matter how big or small. My favorite authors include Cindy Miles, S Walden, Suzanne Enoch, Tessa Dare (to name a few). I am a glutton for Historical, RomCom, Sports and MC romance.

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No compensation is provided for writing any reviews or any other posts on Booklovers For Life. ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies) are given by authors/ publishers in exchange for honest reviews. All reviews and posts posted are personal and honest opinions.